As we saw in our coverage of the Jubilee Tram Parade in Blackpool there was one tram included which featured a new look. Balloon 723 made its debut in a new coat of the 1990s fleet livery having spent the past few weeks in Rigby Road’s Paint Shop.
723 had last been seen in service on the Prom at the start of January 2022 when it was carrying a mainly black vinyl wrap advert for the Magical Christmas Express tours which ran as part of the Christmas by the Sea event. Obviously with these vinyls being rather life limited they were then removed but this meant that it would need a full repaint with the previous 1980s green and cream livery damaged in the removal of these vinyls.
The decision was taken to give 723 a new look with a more condition appropriate livery (although it had carried 1980s green and cream after its overhaul, initially as part of an advertising contract). This was the 1990s style including black window surrounds and the Blackpool Transport Tower and waves logo.
With the new paint smell still apparent, the work on repainting the tram had obviously only been completed shortly before it returned to action with its first public appearance being on Thursday 2nd June as one of the 13 trams to be featured in the Jubilee Tram Parade. It was also used briefly on heritage tours after the Parade during that evening.
723 had originally received this livery in 1993 and would carry it until 1998 when it got adverts for Pasaje del Terror and Ripley’s Believe it or Not.
723 gets ready to leave depot for the first time back out in 1990s fleet livery. (Photograph by Ryan Hartley)
723 sets off from Pleasure Beach during the Parade. (Photograph by blackpool_trams)
Another view of 723. This time we see it at Foxhall heading back to depot.
A close-up of the old Blackpool Tramway “Tower and Waves” logo.
Fleet number and destination blind on 723. (Photographs x3 by Ryan Hartley)
Looking very smart?